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Feature
The Irish Whiskey Masters 2024 results
The quality of Irish whiskey continues to go from strength to strength, with an increasing number of distilleries creating top drops.
The Irish whiskey category has been a great success story. In 2013, there were only four distilleries in the country, but 10 years later this has expanded to 45 in operation.
While challenges in the US (the category’s biggest market) resulted in a 14% decline for Irish whiskey exports last year, the sector reported a strong performance in other regions, such as the EU (up by 17%) and the UK (up by 38%).
Emerging markets also reported double-digit growth for Irish whiskey, including Nigeria (up by 59%), Poland (up by 21%), Singapore (up by 55%) and South Korea (up by 11%).
With strong demand for Irish whiskey in international markets, how does a drinker decide which bottles are worth parting with their hard-earned cash? This is what The Spirits Business sets out to do in its annual Irish Whiskey Masters blind-tasting competition, which gathered seven panels of judges at Stereo in London’s Covent Garden. The competition was sponsored by closures producer Talis.
Panel one was formed of freelance writer Ian Wisniewski; Julia Nourney, independent spirits consultant, and David T Smith, writer and co-founder of the Craft Distilling Expo, who chaired the group.
Panel two was chaired by Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business, and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions (GSMC). She was joined by Herchelle Perez Terrado, of Inside Zero; Will Meredith, director of Daisy Age Drinks; and Joe Wadsack, owner of The Drinks Coach UK.
The third panel was formed of Matt Chambers, spirits writer and founder of Whisky For Everyone blog, who chaired the group, alongside Renata Malakauskiene, whisky specialist at Grain & Glass, and Nick Larsson-Bell, buyer at Harvey Nichols.
Antony Moss, spirits judge and consultant, chaired the fourth group, which included Joyce Chou, localisation programme manager for Wine and Spirit Education Trust; and Richard Legg, founder of Distilled Knowledge.
Group five was led by chair Bryan Rodriguez-Curtis, wine brand manager at Treasury Wine Estates, who was joined by Tatti Sukamongkol, on-trade and consumer account manager at Wanderlust Wine, and Ruchira Neotia, drinks consultant and founder, Neo Margarita. The sixth group was chaired by Nicola Carruthers, deputy editor of The Spirits Business, who was joined by Graham McAteer, spirit partnerships lead at Craft Gin Club, and Dan Greifer, bar supervisor at London’s Black Parrot.
The seventh panel was formed of Cosmo Boardman, creative director at Moore House Cocktail Co, freelance drinks writer Caroline Roddis, and Billy Abbott, ambassador at The Whisky Exchange, who chaired the group.
A strong start
The first thing on the agenda was a tasting of Blended – Standard whiskeys, and this proved to be a strong start to the competition, with two Master medallists chosen.
The first went to Tullamore Dew Original, praised by Smith for its “relatively quiet nose, very dry, slightly chewy with some good nutty spiced notes, long lingering finish”.
The second Master was awarded to Powers Gold Label from Irish Distillers, described as “mellow, full-bodied, red fruit, smooth and sippable, good raspberry notes and a lovely creaminess, thick and viscous”.
Five Golds were also given out, including two to Irish Distillers – Jameson Triple Triple and Jameson Irish Whiskey. Of the former, Rodriguez-Curtis said: “The palate has a warming maltiness about it, some pear and chocolate notes. It feels like a solid entry-level whiskey for those who want to experience an easy-sipping whiskey.”
Golds were also awarded to Pogues Streams of Whiskey, Wild Atlantic Way Irish Whiskey IPA and Kinahan’s The Kasc Project. Wild Atlantic was described as “biscuity, hint of crumpet, bit of fruitiness with caramel and vanilla”, while The Kasc Project offered “some sweet vanilla, peppery spice, hints of cinnamon and oak spice. Touch of dark chocolate on the finish”. A Silver medal concluded the flight.
In the Blended – Premium round, a deserving Master medal was given out to McConnell’s Irish Whisky 5 Years Old. Neotia was particularly impressed: “Lovely Sherry notes on first sniff: salty cashew, fresh peach, lemon, dried orange, crushed roasted peanut. Silky palate with vanilla cream and cacao and tinned peaches. Tingly finish, with honey and white pepper.”
Fourteen Golds were also found, including four for Northern Ireland’s Hinch Distillery. Hinch Irish Whiskey 5 Years Old Madeira Cask Finish was enjoyed for its “sugary juicy sultana on the nose, with hints of caramel and toffee, soft and fudgey on the palate with good level of fudge and toffee, then juicy sultana and crumbly brown sugar”.
Other Gold winners included: Roe & Co 106, with its “creamy-nutty chocolate nose with red apples and rhubarb”; Molly Malone Small Batch Irish Whiskey, described as having a “nice sweet nuttiness, a touch of peppery spice and a maritime note”; and Bushmills Black Bush, which was “malty, rich, almost spiced apple and wintery on the nose”.
Irish Distillers also welcomed two Gold winners for Jameson Black Barrel and Powers Rye, while Irish Whiskey Bonding Company also took home a pair of Golds for its Grafter and Chancer whiskeys. Nine Silvers rounded off the flight.
A pair of Golds were discovered in the Blended – Super-Premium flight for Tullamore Dew 12 Years Old Special Reserve and Shortcross Distiller’s Duo Irish Whiskey. The Tullamore Dew expression had “porridge, oatbread, cinnamon, banana, coconut, rounded texture and a medium-long finish” while Shortcross Distiller’s Duo Classic was praised for its “light and elegant style, grassy and creamy with barley sugar and toffee on the finish”.
Christmas spice
The Master standard returned in a tasting of ultra-premium blends (priced at £60 and above) with Method and Madness Rye and Malt, and Jameson Bow Street 18 Years grabbing the top award.
The former impressed Larsson-Bell, with its aroma of “cooked corn, muesli with a bit of Christmas spice”. Chambers added: “Very green and woody on nose, fresh leaves/grass and green apple with oak shavings, biscuity vibe, sweet and woody on palate, vanilla toffee and custard powder, icing sugar and green leafy herbal notes in background, with a twist of orange zest.”
According to Malakauskiene, Jameson Bow Street 18 Years offered “pain aux raisins, maple syrup. Coffee, tiramisu, pecans, hazelnuts. Long velvety finish.” Five Golds were given to Jameson 18 Years, Hinch Irish Whiskey 15 Years Old Sherry Cask Finish, Midleton Very Rare 2024, Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach Kilranelagh and Egan’s Conviction. The latter provided a “delicate, creamy palate, with soft malt and creamy vanilla finish”.
Middleton Very Rare 2024 offered “oaky spice, with apricot patisserie on nose, lovely cereal biscuity notes on the palate”.
A no-age-statement flight of blended Irish whiskeys resulted in a Gold for Egan’s Bonders Blend, described as “herbal, soft and approachable”.
Moving onto single malts, and the Standard flight (£40 and under) led to a Gold for Spanish Earl Irish Whiskey. “A soft appley nose on this whiskey with a fleshy apricot and stone fruit character” and “hints of sweet spice on the nose”. A Silver was also given to Bushmills Original.
Seven Golds were dished out in the premium single malt round (£41-£60), including two for Teeling Whiskey Company, and one for Knappogue Castle 12.
Teeling Single Malt had “creamy, malty notes on the nose, lots of caramel sweetness and a rich and velvety mouthfeel”. Another Gold winner was Bagots Single Malt, which offered “plenty of fresh ripe pear and apples”, while Egan’s Endeavour took home Gold for its “wafts of smoke, subtle seaweed, and smoked kippers”.
The next flight, Single Malt – Super-Premium, saw a Master be awarded to Teeling Crystal Malt, which Greifer said had “a really nicely integrated light peat, with a beautiful banana bread feel. Warm smooth, buttery, and very easy.”
Seven Golds followed in the flight of expressions priced between £61 and £90, including a trio from Irish Distillers. Among the Gold medallists were Teeling Blackpitts Cask Strength, which develops into a “nice shortbread crust, biscuity base with a light fruitiness”, and Knappogue Castle 16 – described as “fresh and bright”, with notes of baked apple crumble and dates.
A Gold was also awarded to Roe & Co Solera, with a “touch of brioche, miso and Sherry”, and Tullamore Dew 18 Years Old Single Malt.
Meanwhile, the ultra-premium segment of single malts, priced at £91 and above, stood out with four Masters.
The first went to Bushmills 30 Years Old, praised by Greifer for its “nice amount of spice” and “very nice sweet, grape feel to it – incredibly well rounded”. McAteer added: “Strong rye spice, honey/golden syrup sweetness, incredible finish, stunning colour.”
Teeling added to its Master medal tally, with Teeling Rising Reserve 3 taking home the top award. Greifer said: “Nice and biscuity with nice tropical fruit tones which develops into this light florality from orchard fruits. Incredibly solid.”
A Master also went to Roe & Co for its Solera Cask Strength. Smith said: “Lovely raisin spice and liquorice notes, creamy, rum and raisin ice-cream – silky and sippable.”
The final Master went to Bushmills 21 Year Old, which Smith said had a “soft jammy nose, apricot and strawberry, some almond notes and wafer biscuit”.
Six Golds followed, including two for Bushmills: 25-year-old and 16-year-old.
Method and Madness Single Malt was another deserving Gold winner, said to have “liquid banana bread” on the nose. Golds were also given to Knappogue Castle 21, The Taoscán and The Donn. Two Silvers marked the end of the flight.
Single grains
The tasting moved onto single grains, with the premium segment leading to a Gold for Teeling Single Grain. The expression was enjoyed for its “herbal nose” and “sweet and fruity” flavours.
Moving on to super-premium bottlings (£46-£60) and two single grains were given Golds. The first went to Method and Madness Single Grain, with its “butterscotch-toffee nose, light apple, and spice” and Garden County Distillery’s 7 Years Old Single Grain Single Cask, praised for its aroma of “icing sugar, camomile, honeyed cereals” and “stewed apples”.
The high-end single grain segment (£60 and above) resulted in a Gold medal for Roe & Co’s Flor 14 Year Old Single Grain, praised for its “silky texture, caramel sweetness, cereal notes and light spice”.
The traditional single pot still segment was judged next, with bottles in premium price tier (£41-£60) put to the test. A pair of Masters and six Golds were awarded to Irish Distillers, while Teeling Single Pot Still took the final Gold with its flavours of “orange, ginger and bitter chocolate”.
The Master-winning Redbreast 12 Years Old was described by Malakauskiene as having: “Stewed strawberries and cranberries with vanilla custard on the nose. Milk chocolate, pastry and caramel. Soft beautiful finish.”
The other Master winner, Green Spot Leoville Barton, offered “dark chocolate, dates, prunes, nutty texture, wetstone, creamy, good flavour intensity, with a long finish” according to Sukamongkol. Gold winners included Powers Three Swallow Release, with “raisins, hazelnuts, dried strawberries”, Redbreast Lustau Edition, with “delicate vegetal notes that balance out the deep vanilla caramel sweetness”, and Jameson Single Pot Still, described as having “apple boiled sweet and toffee”.
Two more Masters for Irish Distillers came in the following flight, Single Pot Still – Super Premium (£61-£90). The first went to Redbreast 15 Year Old, praised by Roddis for its “farmyard-flavour chocolate bars on the nose, accompanied by sour malt and vanilla ice cream”.
The second was awarded to Redbreast Cuatro Barriles Edition, with its “buttery, creamy, toasted buttered popcorn notes; rich oily mouthfeel”, according to Smith.
Seven Golds followed, including five for Irish Distillers. Among the Gold winners were Teeling Wonders of Wood 3, with “berries and cream, indulgent almost dessert-like”, and Garden County Distillery’s Single Pot Still Batch 01/24, which had a “great balance of sweetness and spice on the palate; classic spiciness expected of pot still styles”.
The last single pot still round was the ultra-premium segment (£91 and above), in which another Master was found in Midleton Very Rare Barry Crockett Legacy. It impressed, with its notes of “creamy barley, vanilla custard and apple”, as well as its “soft and creamy palate with well-balanced oak”.
Four Golds were given out, including to Red Spot, with its “rounded warm sweet bready notes, oily citrus and spiced palate” and Redbreast 21 Years Old, for its flavours of “raisins, fudge, milk chocolate, balanced spice and a long finish”.
Chambers said of the pot still category: “Good quality throughout, and some real crowd pleasers. The ones we sampled were all very traditional so there is clearly a space for someone to shake up the category and do something quirky and innovative.”
Two Masters were awarded in the next flight, New Make Spirit, both of which were awarded to Northern Ireland’s Hinch Distillery. Master winner Hinch Irish Whiskey, New Make Spirit, Double Distilled was described by Rodriguez-Curtis as having a “floral and creamy nose” and a “grassy and herbal” palate with stone fruit and citrus. Hinch Irish Whiskey, New Make Spirit, Triple Distilled offered a nose of “digestive biscuit character, apple and pear as well as some citrus peel”.
The last category, Poitín, concluded the competition with Golds for Mad March Hare, with its “creamy and green apple notes”, and Shortcross Irish Poitín, described as a “classic Poitín, with nice sweetness and subtle fruitiness”.
McTeer summed up the round: “Good representation of modern poitín, would’ve been nice to see some higher-ABV expressions. In general I’d like to see more experimentation in poitín because it is Ireland’s native spirit.”
The final part of the contest saw all the Master medallists repoured and resampled by the judges to decide which should be awarded the Irish Whiskey Taste Master title. After much deliberation, the 2024 accolade went to a Northern Ireland spirit: Bushmills 30 Years Old.
With 17 Masters awarded, in every whiskey category from blended to single malt, this year’s blind tasting was testament to the quality that can be found in Irish drams.
| Blended – Standard | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| William Grant & Sons Irish Brands | Tullamore Dew Original | Master |
| Irish Distillers | Powers Gold Label | Master |
| Irish Distillers | Jameson Triple Triple | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Jameson Irish Whiskey | Gold |
| Halewood Artisanal Spirits | Pogues Streams of Whiskey | Gold |
| Kinsale Spirit Company | Wild Atlantic Way Irish Whiskey IPA | Gold |
| Kinahans Irish Whiskey | Kinahan’s The Kasc Project | Gold |
| William Grant & Sons Irish Brands | Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask Finish | Silver |
| Blended – Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Belfast Distillery Company | McConnell’s Irish Whisky 5 Year Old | Master |
| Belfast Distillery Company | McConnell’s Irish Whisky Sherry Cask Finish | Gold |
| Hinch Distillery | Hinch Irish Whiskey, Small Batch Bourbon Cask | Gold |
| Hinch Distillery | Hinch Irish Whiskey, 5 Year Old Double Wood | Gold |
| Hinch Distillery | Hinch Irish Whiskey, 5 Year Old Madeira Cask Finish | Gold |
| Hinch Distillery | Hinch Irish Whiskey, Peated Small Batch | Gold |
| Diageo | Roe & Co 106 | Gold |
| Teeling Whiskey Company | Teeling Small Batch | Gold |
| Irish Whiskey Bonding Company | Irish Whiskey Bonding Company – Grafter | Gold |
| Irish Whiskey Bonding Company | Irish Whiskey Bonding Company – Chancer | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Jameson Black Barrel | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Powers Rye | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | Bushmills Black Bush | Gold |
| The Dunbrody Irish Whiskey | The Dunbrody Irish Whiskey Caribbean Rum Cask | Gold |
| The Molly Malone Whiskey Company | Molly Malone Small Batch Irish Whiskey | Gold |
| Flatley Whiskey | Flatley Irish Whiskey The Dreamer | Silver |
| The Copeland Distillery | Merchants’ Quay Blended Irish Whiskey | Silver |
| The Dunbrody Irish Whiskey | The Dunbrody Irish Whiskey Bourbon Cask | Silver |
| Teeling Whiskey Company | Teeling Duvel Cask Vol. 3 | Silver |
| Irish Distillers | Jameson Crested | Silver |
| Irish Distillers | Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition | Silver |
| Hinch Distillery | Hinch Irish Whiskey, Craft & Casks Imperial Stout Finish | Silver |
| Kinahans Irish Whiskey | Kinahan’s The Kasc Project [B] | Silver |
| Bagots Irish Whiskey | Bagots Triple Batch | Silver |
| Blended – Super-Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| William Grant & Sons Irish Brands | Tullamore Dew 12 Year Old Special Reserve | Gold |
| Rademon Estate Distillery | Shortcross Distiller’s Duo Irish Whiskey | Gold |
| Blended – Ultra-Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Irish Distillers | Method and Madness Rye and Malt | Master |
| Irish Distillers | Jameson Bow Street 18 Years | Master |
| Irish Distillers | Jameson 18 Years | Gold |
| Hinch Distillery | Hinch Irish Whiskey, 15 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish | Gold |
| Intrepid Spirits | Egan’s Conviction | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Midleton Very Rare 2024 | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach Kilranelagh | Gold |
| Blended – No Age Statement | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Intrepid Spirits | Egan’s Bonders Blend | Gold |
| Single Malt – Standard | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Kinsale Spirit Company | Spanish Earl Irish Whiskey | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | Bushmills Original | Silver |
| Single Malt – Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Teeling Whiskey Company | Teeling Single Malt | Gold |
| Teeling Whiskey Company | Teeling Blackpitts Peated Single Malt | Gold |
| Intrepid Spirits | Egan’s Endeavour | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Knappogue Castle 12 | Gold |
| Bagots Irish Whiskey | Bagots Single Malt | Gold |
| Kinahans Irish Whiskey | Kinahan’s The Kasc Project [M] | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | Bushmills 12 Years Old | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | Bushmills 10 Years Old | Silver |
| William Grant & Sons Irish Brands | Tullamore Dew 14 Years Old Single Malt | Silver |
| Single Malt – Super-Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Teeling Whiskey Company | Teeling Crystal Malt | Master |
| Teeling Whiskey Company | Teeling Blackpitts Cask Strength | Gold |
| Teeling Whiskey Company | Teeling Tequila 2018 Single Malt Single Cask | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Knappogue Castle 16 | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Knappogue Castle 14 | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Method & Madness Single Malt 7 Year Old | Gold |
| Diageo | Roe & Co Solera | Gold |
| William Grant & Sons Irish Brands | Tullamore Dew 18 Years Old Single Malt | Gold |
| Single Malt – Ultra‐Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Proximo Spirits | Bushmills 30 Year Old | Master & Taste Master |
| Teeling Whiskey Company | Teeling Rising Reserve 3 | Master |
| Proximo Spirits | Bushmills 21 Years Old | Master |
| Diageo | Roe & Co Solera Cask Strength | Master |
| Proximo Spirits | Bushmills 25 Years Old | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | Bushmills 16 Years Old | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Method and Madness Single Malt | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Knappogue Castle 21 | Gold |
| The Craft Irish Whiskey Co | The Taoscán | Gold |
| The Craft Irish Whiskey Co | The Donn | Gold |
| The Craft Irish Whiskey Co | The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition | Silver |
| Teeling Whiskey Company | Teeling 30 Years Old Single Malt | Silver |
| Single Grain – Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Teeling Whiskey Company | Teeling Single Grain | Gold |
| Single Grain – Super-Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Irish Distillers | Method And Madness Single Grain | Gold |
| Garden County Distillery | Garden County 7 Years Old Single Grain Single Cask | Gold |
| Single Grain – Ultra-Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Diageo | Roe & Co Flor 14 Years Old Single Grain | Gold |
| Single Pot Still – Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Irish Distillers | Redbreast 12 Years Old | Master |
| Irish Distillers | Green Spot Leoville Barton | Master |
| Irish Distillers | Green Spot | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Powers Three Swallow Release | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Redbreast Lustau Edition | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Green Spot Chateau Montelena | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Jameson Single Pot Still | Gold |
| Teeling Whiskey Company | Teeling Single Pot Still | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Powers Johns Lane | Silver |
| Single Pot Still – Super-Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Irish Distillers | Redbreast 15 Year Old | Master |
| Irish Distillers | Redbreast Cuatro Barriles Edition | Master |
| Irish Distillers | Blue Spot | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Redbreast 12 Cask Strength | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Powers Johns Lane Cask Strength | Gold |
| Teeling Whiskey Company | Teeling Wonders Of Wood 3 | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Yellow Spot | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Method and Madness Single Pot Still | Gold |
| Garden County Distillery | Single Pot Still Batch 01/24 | Gold |
| Single Pot Still – Ultra Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Irish Distillers | Midleton Very Rare Barry Crockett Legacy | Master |
| Irish Distillers | Red Spot | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Redbreast 21 Year Old | Gold |
| Irish Distillers | Redbreast 27 Year Old | Gold |
| New Make Spirit | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Hinch Distillery | Hinch Irish Whiskey, New Make Spirit, Double Distilled | Master |
| Hinch Distillery | Hinch Irish Whiskey, New Make Spirit, Triple Distilled | Master |
| Poitín | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Intrepid Spirits | Mad March Hare | Gold |
| Rademon Estate Distillery | Shortcross Irish Poitín | Gold |
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